The Temple College baseball squad traveled to Waco on Wednesday afternoon to open NTJCAC play against No. 5 McLennan Community College at Bosque River Ballpark.

The Leopards rallied from two down in the first game, and staved off a huge MCC rally in the second game to lock up a key doubleheader win over the Highlanders, 5-4 and 6-5.

After the Highlanders scored runs in the first and second innings, Temple found the run column in the third. Kolvin Davis singled home Kash Millar to pull Temple to within one run.

The Leopards tied the game in the fifth inning when Lance Cantrell doubled home Kolvin Davis to tie the game at 2-2.

Following an Andrew Ermis single, Kade Davis crushed a three-homer to right field to give the Leopards their first lead of the game, 5-2.

Spencer Butt's two-run single scored Sherman Johnson and Marcus Smith to pull within a run. The Leopards were able to shut down the Highlanders offense to capture game one.

Eight different players combined to give Temple nine hits, led by Kolvin Davis' 2-of-4 contest. Kade Davis had three RBI.

Patrick Collopy pitched 5 1/3 innings for the victory, having allowed three runs (two earned) on two hits, struck out seven and walked three. Micah Melott picked up the save, allowed one run on three hits and struck out three.

Temple paced themselves offensively in game two with single runs in the first three innings. Cantrell stole home in the first, Kolvin Davis had an RBI walk in the second, and Kade Davis homered to right field.

The Leopards scored three times in the top of the sixth. Kolvin Davis' bases-clearing double scored Millar, Jackson Todd, and Sage Sanders to double TC's lead to 6-0.

The Highlanders scored five times in the bottom of the seventh, by way of a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch, two bases-loaded walks, a sacrifice fly, and an RBI single. Temple escaped the inning with a one-run lead.

TC pitching held MCC off the scoreboard the rest of the way.

The Leopards collected eight hits, with Todd and Kade Davis each with two. Kolvin Davis led the Leopards with four RBI.

Eric Tenery picked up the win, having thrown 5 2/3 innings, allowed two hits, walked six and struck out four. Four other pitchers combined for 3 2/3 innings, allowed five runs on three hits, walked four and struck out three.

AJ Goytia had two RBI to lead the Highlanders.

Temple and MCC will finish their four-game NTJCAC series with a Saturday doubleheader at the Danny Scott Athletic Complex. Game times are slated for 12 pm and 2:30 pm.